Possible split driveshaft boot

[jimsayshi]

on the run-around 51 plate Fiesta.

I've noticed oil on the drivers side driveshaft, opposite side to the gearbox. The gearbox side driveshaft is clean, nothing on it.

I think it might be a split boot. Have added a couple of pics.

If I find it's a small nick can I superglue it? And how big a nick/tear is too big to glue?

The other thing is not being particularly experienced. Do I need to replace the oil I can see has been lost and if so how? If I need to replace the boot it's going to be me, a trip to Halfords for a socket set and a Haynes manual. Or would I be better off taking to it the main stealers?

Cheers.

Edited by jimsayshi on Saturday 12th December 18:11

[neiljohnson]

Boot can be replaced quite easily but get a oe boot as aftermarket universal boots wont fit the shape of the joint.
Just be careful when you remove and refit he shaft as the bearings can fall apart sometimes if knocked.

[stevenr]

That looks more like oil dripping out of your engine to me,doesn't look like the grease that would normally live in a driveshaft boot.
I could be very wrong but i'd be checking for oil leaks if i were you

[jimsayshi]

stevenr said:

That looks more like oil dripping out of your engine to me,doesn't look like the grease that would normally live in a driveshaft boot.
I could be very wrong but i'd be checking for oil leaks if i were you

That's what I first thought. I originally asked the same question on a different car forum and got the split boot answer. Do these pics help any. Taken the same time as the fist ones put up?

Have yet to give the boot a good clean (check for splits), will do that in an hour or so.

[jimsayshi]

More photos.

Cleaned the boot but couldn't feel any splits in it.


Another shot of what appears to be oil on a some sort of connection higher up nearer the alternator.


Close up. Noticed it's only below the connection.


Follow the bottom of the pipe leading down from the connection as it heads lower and forward of driveshaft.


I haven't cleaned this pie and can see that the oils sits on top of the pipe! Not underneath it nearer it the driveshaft.


Can anyone help?

[neiljohnson]

not totally sure as cant see 100% on the photos but looks like power steering. The pipes often split at the mountings as water gets it and corrodes them. Is the oil thats leaking a red colour?

[freddytin]

Looks like a very slow weep of engine oil , probably from the crank seal behind the pulley, which is then thrown out .

Driveshaft boot looks 100 %. You would definitely notice molly grease from the joint if it was split.

I would suggest an engine bay wash , and recheck after a couple of days for any fresh leaks, slight weeps are usually not worth resolving.

[jimsayshi]

neiljohnson said:

not totally sure as cant see 100% on the photos but looks like power steering. The pipes often split at the mountings as water gets it and corrodes them. Is the oil thats leaking a red colour?

Where are the mounts found? I can't tell if the fluid is red as everything is black. But it did feel more water base than say grease would.

What would I need to remove to get better access to the necessary mounts/general area etc?

[jimsayshi]

freddytin said:

Looks like a very slow weep of engine oil , probably from the crank seal behind the pulley, which is then thrown out .

Driveshaft boot looks 100 %. You would definitely notice molly grease from the joint if it was split.

I would suggest an engine bay wash , and recheck after a couple of days for any fresh leaks, slight weeps are usually not worth resolving.

Will engine bay wash and top up the engine oil. Then see if there's a noticeable drop? Although a slow weep might not produce a noticeable drop. Is there any other way to check, area to watch?

[freddytin]

jimsayshi said:

freddytin said:

Looks like a very slow weep of engine oil , probably from the crank seal behind the pulley, which is then thrown out .

Driveshaft boot looks 100 %. You would definitely notice molly grease from the joint if it was split.

I would suggest an engine bay wash , and recheck after a couple of days for any fresh leaks, slight weeps are usually not worth resolving.

Will engine bay wash and top up the engine oil. Then see if there's a noticeable drop? Although a slow weep might not produce a noticeable drop. Is there any other way to check, area to watch?

Park your car over a clean piece of cardboard, then check for marks in the morning.

Unless it a significant leak , there will be no indication on the dipstick.

Keep doing the weekly fluid checks in the engine bay and I'm sure everything will be "hunky dory".
It really doesn't look to be any cause for concern from the pics posted.

[neiljohnson]

jimsayshi said:

neiljohnson said:

not totally sure as cant see 100% on the photos but looks like power steering. The pipes often split at the mountings as water gets it and corrodes them. Is the oil thats leaking a red colour?

Where are the mounts found? I can't tell if the fluid is red as everything is black. But it did feel more water base than say grease would.

What would I need to remove to get better access to the necessary mounts/general area etc?

The mounts i refer to are the supports you see in the photos that support the metal pipes with the rubber bush in them tbh it does not look serious and the cardboard trick will give a good idea on what colour it is but only if its a big enough leak.

[jimsayshi]

freddytin said:

jimsayshi said:

freddytin said:

Looks like a very slow weep of engine oil , probably from the crank seal behind the pulley, which is then thrown out .

Driveshaft boot looks 100 %. You would definitely notice molly grease from the joint if it was split.

I would suggest an engine bay wash , and recheck after a couple of days for any fresh leaks, slight weeps are usually not worth resolving.

Will engine bay wash and top up the engine oil. Then see if there's a noticeable drop? Although a slow weep might not produce a noticeable drop. Is there any other way to check, area to watch?

It really doesn't look to be any cause for concern from the pics posted.

A repeat of the earlier pics I posted...





...are you sure?

[stevenr]

To be honest as long as you keep checking the oil i wouldn't worry too much about it.
You should have seen some of the old fords i've owned in the past for real oil leaks!

[freddytin]

stevenr said:

To be honest as long as you keep checking the oil i wouldn't worry too much about it.
You should have seen some of the old fords i've owned in the past for real oil leaks!

Listen to him ^^^^^ .